By 90min | Created at 2024-10-29 21:33:03 | Updated at 2024-11-05 13:36:00
1 week ago
Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka delivered his 50th Premier League goal in the opening moments of the Gunners' clash with Liverpool at the Emirates.
The England international was expected to miss Sunday's home clash after picking up an injury earlier in the month while on international duty. He had not played for his club since the October break, missing a 2-0 defeat to Bournemouth and a tight victory over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League.
However, last minute news from the Arsenal camp revealed Saka would indeed be fit enough to face Liverpool, starting on the right wing.
His availability came as welcome news to the north London side, who remain in the midst of an injury crisis with key players such as Martin Odegaard and Riccardo Calafiori struggling with fitness issues.
Mikel Arteta admitted earlier in the week he was not worried about the mounting injuries, but will have been glad to include Saka's name in the lineup after the winger netted his 50th Premier League goal in the opening ten minutes of Sunday's clash. Taming Ben White's raking forward pass, Arsenal's skipper for the day flicked the ball between Andy Robertson's legs before blasting it beyond a helpless Caoimhin Kelleher.
It's yet another milestone the fleet-footed winger can add to his roster. Still only 23 years old, Saka became the youngest Arsenal player to rack up a half-century of Premier League goals, surpassing the great Thierry Henry who was 24.
The Hale End graduate has been a vital member of the Arsenal squad since his promotion to the senior side in 2019, netting four goals in 11 appearances already this season on top of seven assists.
Sunday's clash turned out to be an entertaining one but the Gunners couldn't secure victory, with Mohamed Sala striking late on to ensure the points were shared with a 2-2 draw.
